HK main index hits highest since Dec

HONG KONG, July 2 (Reuters): Hong Kong's benchmark index climbed to its highest close in almost seven months on Wednesday, buoyed by upbeat China and U.S. data and an outperforming property sector.

The Hang Seng Index rose 1.6 per cent at 23,549.62 points, the highest close since December 10. Wednesday produced the biggest one-day gain in more than 7 weeks.

The China Enterprises Index of the leading offshore Chinese listings in Hong Kong gained 1.1 per cent.

Wednesday's gains also pushed the Hang Seng back into positive territory for the year, up 1.0 per cent.

Manufacturing activity in China and the US expanded in June, data showed on Tuesday, when Hong Kong markets were closed for a public holiday.

High-yielding, defensive Hong Kong property developers were broadly higher aided by improved liquidity. The real estate sub-sector index was up 2.5 per cent.

Henderson Land Development added 3.6 per cent and Cheung Kong Holdings rose 3.5 per cent to its highest since December 2007.